With a B.Com degree in Industrial Psychology, Mark was a consumer researcher for 8 years before changing his career path and becoming a presenter. He started his radio career on 5fm, and then broadcast simultaneously on 94.5 Kfm across the Cape and 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2012 Mark won an MTN Radio Award for Best Commercial Music Show in South Africa. He is currently a deejay on Hot 91.9 in Johannesburg and in 2015 he won the MTN Radio Award for Best Community Weekend Radio Show in South Africa.

Mark has also hosted numerous prime time television shows over the years, including Big Brother South Africa on MNET, new moves on eTV and Face2Face on SABC2. In 2008 he hosted the country's biggest ever television game show, the Power of 10 on MNET.

Mark is a well polished master of ceremonies, corporate deejay, as well as motivational speaker. In addition, he is a professional voice artist, having narrated hundreds of radio and television commercials as well as audio visual presentations.

From 2013 to early 2016 he was also a magazine columnist for South Africa’s Living and Loving magazine, writing a monthly column about parenting from a dads perspective.

Mark is also co-owner of Blueberry Hill Farm in East London, specialising in providing peppers to retail outlets in the Eastern Cape.

His autobiography titled Beyond the Baldness about never giving up, fighting back and chasing your dream was released at the end of 2015.

A bit more detail…

Mark was born and grew up in Kent, England in a small village called Allhallows. He spent his pre-teens living in a trailer (in England they call them mobile homes), always dreaming of something bigger than where he was. His dad and brothers still live in the UK. He came to South Africa at the age of 9 and already knew that he wanted to be a radio deejay when he grew up. At the age of 12 he would ride around the streets of Kriel with a battery operated microphone and speaker, announcing lost dogs (which he fabricated!).

After completing matric at Sasolburg High School in 1986, Mark went on to study at Wits and UNISA. He graduated with a B.COM (Industrial Psychology and Business Economics). He went on to become a consumer researcher, a profession which lasted 8 years. Whilst in research he become the Johannesburg Chairman of the SA Marketing Research Association.

Mark is a cancer survivor. At the age of 18 he was diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer, which spread to his lungs and kidneys. He attributes his positive attitude towards life as being responsible for him still being alive over 20 years later! Mark often shares his experiences with others so that they can be more aware of what cancer is about, as well as the signs to look out for. He is also a friend of The Reach for a Dream Foundation and a patron of CANSA. Mark is well known as the bald head that leads the annual CANSA Shavathons.

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From the moment Mark went into remission he decided that he was going to follow his dream and get onto radio, so whilst he was a consumer researcher by day, by night he was a "demo tape" maker, sending countless demos to countless radio stations. After having the door closed in his face for eight years, perseverance eventually paid off in 1995 when he managed to get his first radio show hosting weekend graveyard on 5FM. After many years with 5FM, Mark moved onto 94.7 Highveld Stereo and 94.5 KFM. Television was a natural progression, and over the years Mark has hosted a total 10 shows.

On 14th July 2008, Mark suffered a sudden and severe heart attack. He got his first angina pains on the set of his TV show The Power of 10. A few days later he went to his doctor to chat about the chest pains he had been having. While he was in her office talking to her, he had the heart attack.

The ability to receive immediate medical care saved his life. He was rushed by ambulance to hospital where he had emergency surgery. Even though he ate healthily, cholesterol had blocked his coronary artery, which in turn caused 20% damage to his heart. A stent was placed in the artery and today Mark continues to make the most out of life!

Mark married the love of his life, Nicole, on 7 July 2007 on a tropical beach in Mauritius. They met in 2004 when Mark was doing a voice over for a company that she was working at. Nicole would later end up running the company… and Mark still continues doing voice overs for her!

They had their first child, a baby daughter named Tayla-Jean, in April 2010. Their second daughter, Alyssa, was born in June 2012.

With a B.Com degree in Industrial Psychology, Mark was a consumer researcher for 8 years before changing his career path and becoming a presenter. He started his radio career on 5fm, and then broadcast simultaneously on 94.5 Kfm across the Cape and 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2012 Mark won an MTN Radio Award for Best Commercial Music Show in South Africa. He is currently a deejay on Hot 91.9 in Johannesburg and in 2015 he won the MTN Radio Award for Best Commun

Mark is a polished motivational speaker, and has chatted to thousands of delegates over the past few years. His 40 minute talk entitled Beyond the Baldness is well suited to conferences and functions which are themed around reaching your goals, whether it be at work or in your personal life.

At the age of 18 Mark was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which spread to his lungs and kidneys. Mark’s inspirational story is anecdotal and humorous and reveals how cancer persuaded him to give up his training as a chartered accountant and follow his dream of being on radio and television.

His story is a personal and poignant account of his journey, motivating anyone listening to follow their dream whatever it may be, whether in the workplace or in their personal life. He also uses the public platform to educate both young and old on early cancer detection, and should the disease affect you, how to find the strength to overcome it. He also touches on his recent heart attack, and the signs you should be looking out for.

CORPORATE DEEJAY

If you are after a DJ for your event that is skilled at playing all the big radio hits from today and the past 3 decades, then Mark Pilgrim is the right man! He is especially renowned in South Africa for his “box of classics”, and is often booked to host retro parties, playing hits of yesteryear.

Mark has been deejaying at clubs and corporate events ever since he started on radio back in 1995.

He specialises in playing the radio hits you love, from yesteryear and today! At corporate events he usually does a 2 or 3 hour continuous set once the dance floor has opened. Enquire about the package option where he can MC and DJ at the same event for a combined reduced fee!

VOICE ARTIST

Mark is a professional voice artist, whose voice has been used on hundreds of AV presentations as well as radio and television commercials. He has also narrated various television shows including The Zama Zama TV Show on SABC1 and Car Torque on SABC3. Mark has also done programming continuity links for SABC2, SABC3, Mnet and Discovery Channel (UK).

With his warm delivery and instantly recognisable voice, Mark is the ideal artist to voice your next radio or television commercial, corporate video or IVR phone line.

For many clients who want a quick turn around time, Mark has a home studio in which he can record your broadcast quality voice over and email or ftp the audio back to you within a few hours of the booking!

MASTER OF CEREMONIES (MC)

Mark has been a professional MC for over 19 years. His warm and friendly delivery style has endeared him to thousands of delegates. Whether your function is a 2 day conference or a gala awards evening, with his wry sense of humour Mark is there to make sure the event goes according to plan.

He can also provided a value-added service by both being your MC and deejay for the evening.